Future leaders

It was a significant milestone in the academic journey of the graduating students at the Indian Institute of Management, Kashipur (IIM-K), marking the culmination of their dedication and hard work in completing various programmes offered by the institute. These programmes include flagship two-year MBA, MBA Analytics, Executive MBA, and Doctoral programmes. The IIM-K also demonstrated its commitment to creating future leaders to showcase their skills in today’s dynamic and competitive business landscape.

The first batch of Executive MBA Analytics were conferred with degrees under various programs. A total of 438 students were awarded their respective degrees, of which 30 per cent were women. The 2023–25 batch of the MBA (Analytics) registered an impressive 69 per cent female students, bridging the gap of gender diversity in management.

Addressing the students, Yazdi Nagporewalla, CEO, KPMG India, said: “Today marks a rare and momentous occasion where we celebrate the achievements of the future leaders of our nation. Let us extend our heartfelt congratulations to each graduate, recognising the unwavering support of proud parents and the dedication of the esteemed faculty. As you step into the world, remember the profound significance of education and the values it instils. Your degree is not just a symbol, but a passport to a world of opportunities. Embrace your journey with anticipation and resilience, for success is earned through continuous learning, hard work, and adaptability. Never shy away from challenges, for in chaos lies opportunity. Embrace technology, invest in your skills, and always uphold the values of integrity and respect.” He added: “In Korea, people think of ‘Nation first, company second, family third, and self fourth’. We need to learn from them.”

The institute witnessed the conferral of degrees upon 438 students at its 11th convocation. During the ceremony, 232 graduating cohorts received MBA degrees, 87 MBA Analytics degrees, 83 EMBAA degrees, and 21 Executive MBA degrees. Fifteen scholars from the Doctoral Programme also received their degrees. The first batch of Executive MBA Analytics was conferred with degrees. The institute also offers a slew of online courses. There are as many as 17 short online certificate programmes and eight one-year executive/postgraduate certificate programmes, including hospital management, rail management, and design thinking and innovation for business strategy. There are also three diploma programmes.

Women power

IIM-K has recently been witnessing exponential growth in terms of female students across all programs. In the 2019-21 batch, it recorded 11 per cent female students, while in the 2021-23 batch, this surged to 30 per cent. “As we celebrate this convocation day, let us reflect on our journey of excellence. IIM Kashipur’s 19th rank in NRF 2023 echoes our commitment to unparalleled standards. Our diverse student body, including 69 per cent female representation in MBA (Analytics), underscores the evolving landscape of education. We take pride in supporting economically and socially challenged students and fostering an inclusive environment. Today, as we bid farewell to our graduates, we stand poised to shape the future with innovation and inclusivity,” Sandeep Singh, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIM-K, stated.

 IIM-K is closely working with the Uttarakhand government to support and uplift the local population. With its Foundation for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (FIED), Management Development Programs (MDP) for industry, and Design and Innovation Centre (DIC), IIM Kashipur has produced successful business leaders and job creators.

“Despite market challenges this year, we saw the active participation of 200+ student organisations, extending 270 offers to the MBA and MBA (Analytics) batch. Besides regular recruiters such as ICICI Bank, KPMG, Capgemini, Bank of America, Gartner, Tiger Analytics, TATA Capital and Delloite, several new organisations came, such as Barclays, Accenture Strategy, Swiggy and Carelon,” said a beaming prof Kulbhushan Balooni, Director, IIM-K.

IIM Kashipur’s training programmes are designed to address industry trends, with sessions focusing on topics like Industry 5.0, emotional intelligence, leadership development, and women’s leadership, ensuring participants stay updated with the latest developments in their fields. The institute collaborates closely with state governments on various developmental areas such as sustainability, health, disaster management, and public policy, showcasing its commitment to contributing to broader societal issues.

To support more students, the institute is also planning to expand its Dehradun campus.